Pick of the week 30/11/2016 Batman Annual #1

Wow really slow week in comics, which for my bank balance was a welcome respite, some great reads here though but there was only going to be one winner and that is the brilliant Batman Annual  #1.

The List;

Batman Annual #1
Superman Annual #1
JLA #10
Suicide Squad #7
Extraordinary X-Men #16
Inhumans vs X-men #0

This SHOULD have been a hard choice given we have some quality offerings here, but it really wasn't this issue is just wonderful. It takes me back to a more innocent time, what you have here is a collection of short festively themed Batman stories by a some of the top writers in DC comics today, you have Tom King, Scott Snyder, Paul Dini, Steve Orlando and Scott Wilson. I have been guilty of asking myself does Tom King really get Batman? Well on this evidence he clearly does his effort opens the proceedings with a wonderful short story of the orgins of Ace the Bathound. Things are so grim sometimes that we forget that comics can just be fun and heartwarming and thats just what this is. We see Ace as an abandoned feral, vicious attack dog forgotten about by the Joker, Bruce doesnt really want anything to do with him but Alfred insists on taking him in and slowly but surely training the anger out of him, ultimately love and patience win out. Alfred is clearly doing this for Bruce, its his present to him, this fact goes right over Bruces head however. This is just a perfectly written, fun, festive story I loved it. Scott Snyders effort involves Batman breaking patrol to be wooed by a gang of acrobats entertaining the people of Gotham for free, Bats is seeming assuming the worst, waiting for something to go wrong the whole time but nothing does, they end up even making him smile its just a nice short tale. Next up Paul Dini hits us with a proper throwback story which could have been published in the 90's. Basically Harley Quinn shows up Bats grabs here with the intension of kicking her out of town she spends the whole time trying to awaken his Christmas spirit in him, this one was really fun. Steve Orlandos effort sees the introduction of a new interesting looking character called the Stag, I am intruiged by this one, but it did break the tone of the book a bit, finally Scott Wilson closes things with a short adventure where Haunter escapes Arkham and teams up with Scarecrow only to be outwited by Batman in the end.

Overall this is just a fun read, that reminded me of being a kid and it was just wonderfull.

5/5

Elsewhere in comics...

Superman Annual #1 - This was excellent, we get a really surprisings confrontation as Superman has it out with Swampthing of all people, this was interesting as Superman coming from an alternate earth is actually damaging this earth with his prescence, the 2 duke it out before Swampthing eventually helps Clark accept this earth as his home and assists him in altering his vibrational frequency. This was fun to read and their were some great action pages here and some really innovative use of Swampthings powers.
JLA #10- I can't really stress how much I do not care about this story, its clealy a delayed title everything thats happening is out of sync with current continuity, full disclosure this was added to my pull list by accident. I am really just waiting for the new JLA team coming  in 2017 which just looks excellent.
Suicide Squad #7 -  I am starting to enjoy this, we have the idea for this story is that everyone else in the SS is driven mad but Harley is driven sane, there are some nice action bits and its a interesting to see Harleen Quinzel with all her faculties, we also learnthat Boomerang isn't as dead as we thought. I am not however enjoying how short the main story is to make room for these back ups, I know its to make sure Jim Lee is on time and able to honour the double shipping but honestly I would prefer 1 book a month that was all Jim Lee.
Extraordinary X-Men #16 -  This issue is about tying up loose plot threads in time for Inhumans vs X-Men and it does so really well.  Apocalypse is seeming destroyed (that never takes, nor should it hes awesome) but not till he is tricked into freeing Colossus from his influence (Huzzah Peteys back) Magic defeats the big bad at great personal cost and the X-Men accept that they have to leave Limbo and return to the world.
Inhumans vs X-men #0 - This is  setting the scene issue for the mini series but I thought it did so really well, Emma is building a strike team to take out the Inhumans and while this is going on Beast is trying to find a cure for M-Pox, we end up of a cliff hanger whereby Beast makes a shocking discovery which he hides from the Inhumans and summons all of the X-Teams to meet him, what the discovery is we are left wondering about.

Whoo I am officially upto date!

Pick of the week 23/11/2016 Wonder Woman #11

I am so massively behind on my books, thats what holidays will do to you, anyway I am slowly but surely catching up. In all honesty theres been nothing to exceptional but the great thing about this week is one book which I have really been wanting to like but struggling with has finally turned a corner and clicked for me and that is my PoTW Wonder Woman #11!

The List;

Wonder Woman #11
Deathstroke #7
Action Comics #968
Teen Titans #2
Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #9
Death of X #4
Detective Comics #945
Flash #11
Titans #5
Hellblazer #4

Ok I love the character of Wonder Woman but I have struggled to really get into the current run, I am not sure if its the fact that the swapping between the 2 arcs or the story in general but nothings grabbed me so far, well I am pleased to say thats no longer the case.

What this issue does really well is build the mystery of Themyscira, WW returns with Steve Trevor (hooray!) but everything is different, everyone looks different, even the architecture isn't the same, its all harsher and darker, also theres no General Phillipus. Now the whole two story lines make smuch more sense, introducing you to Themyscira the way they have makes the difference of that Themyscira was and how it is portrayed now much more jarring and intruiging.

I am now really looking forward to seeing how this finally all plays out, I want to give a shout out as well to Liam Sharp on art duties for some utterly gorgeous work and Laura Martins colours are just absolutely wonderful they match the tone of the art and the story perfectly.

4/5

Elswhere in comics;

Deathstroke #7 - I think this is going to be one of the titles I drop, I just don't really care about anything thats happening and I cannot get invested in the story, Superman is in this latest are abd Batman is in the last that should of been great but I just wsnt really bothered at all, its not bad really but its not connecting with me.
Action Comics #968 - These last 2 issues or so have just been ok, I am still intruiged as to wha the feck is up with this new Clark Kent, but this issue didn't really grab me as much as some of the others.

Teen Titans #2 - I am really enjoying this so far, a big part of how much you love or hate this book depends on your view of Damian Wayne, I love the character so I am digging this. Robin in this issue is stil trying to get the team together as it turns out they are being hunted by a  group of league of Assassins students more of this please!
Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #9 - Easily still the best Green Lantern book, Hals back as we new he would be ... well sort of. Hes in Emerald space which seems a bit of a rip off of the Speed force, apparently is were Lanterns who have given their lives to corp end up, theres two big reveals here one of them is Hal getting some face time with ABIN SUR! Love  that really nicely done, turns out Hals not dead just close to it, Ganthet is trying to get him out and who does he call on you ask? Only Kyle Rayner, BOOM, really excellent stuff.The other thing thats brillaint about this arc is they are battling fricking Starro and Brianiac love it, 2 classic villains and its a really nice change to see them going against someone other than another team of Lanerns.
Death of X #4- I don't know how to feel about this book at all, the whole point of this story is to find out what Cyclops (who by the way is thge best X-Man.Period) did to make everyone hate him so much. And its nothing he manages to destroy one of the  Terrigen mist clouds and then commits suicide by Blackbolt. WTF. There is an interesting twist though as it turns out he actualy died in the 1st issue and everything we have seen is Emma Frost creating a psychic illusion, I am interested to see how this roles into Inhumas vs X-Men but this issue actually made me physically angry that Cyclops dies off page, I mean what the hell sort of ending is that for one of the Prof X's greatest student and a mainstay in Marvel comics for the last, what, 30 years? Outrageous, personally I am just waiting for X-Men Gold and Blue.
 Detective Comics #945 -  This Victims club arc isnt really grabbing me yet, its ok but its just not clicking with me so far. I will say it is a good premise there is not enough focus on the collateral damage when you have these superpowered showdowns, hopefully things will pick up. One thing this that this issue does which is really well is give some nice fleshing out of the Clayface character. I have to admit I don't care for this Clayface, my Clayface will always be Clayface two, the one who was in love with the manequin, something about that character always freaked me out a bit as a kid so I have a real soft spot for him, and also Dr Phosphorus who scared the dickens out of me.

Flash #11- I really love this book, this issue wasnt amazing but it was solid and the interpaly between Wally and Barry is really well done, we get to see what the deuce is going on with the shade, turns out his insecurities have allowed the shadows he creates to rebel and take over the shadowlands, good stuff, the shadowlands present an interesting chnge of scenery and will create some intresting challenges for the flashes as they look to rescue Iris who the shadows have kidnapped.

Titans #5 - Really enjoying this book, this is a really Wally focused issue that seems him push the boundaries of his speed and take down all of Kadabras dopplegangers, before seemingly push himself too hard and ending up being absorbed into the Speed force. As much as I have enjoyed this though I am ready for this Kadabra thing to be done with, hes never been a villain I really cared for.
Hellblazer #4- I really want to like this but I just havent really found anything in the 1st 4 issues to make it stand out or justify my hardearned cash. Its a shames because John Constantine is a great character, I am gonna give it a few more issues and them possible drop it, if its still not standing out.


Peace out bitches

Pick of the week 16/11/2016 Superman #11

Ok for my money Superman is the best comic going today, I havent been able to say that since... well ever to be honest. I have always loved Supes but previous runs whilst enjoyable haven't blow me away but HOLY SHIT this whole Rebirth run has been fan-bastard-tastic, so this should have been an easy pick, only it wasn't because Aquaman is just SO good I really wanted to pick that, in fact that was pick of the week right up until I read Superman (I saved the big S for last just incase).

The List;

Superman #11
Aquaman #11
Uncanny X-Men Annual #1
Batman #11
Trinity #3
He-Man/Thundercats #2
Nightwing #9
Suicide Squad #6
Justice League #9
Green Lanterns #11
Green Arrow #11

This issue is just wonderful, I had a huge grin plastered on my face through the whole issue it was just excellent, excellent stuff, Peter J Tomasi is just getting better with every issue.

So as you can guess by the cover and by the ending of the last issue, this is focused on Damian and Jonathan, their respective Super fathers are putting then through a boot camp to learn how to work together and as you can imagine it doesn't go smoothly.

The interplay between the 2 super sons is excellent throught the issue, they are presented with several trials to earn their capes and insignias back, they fail at them all because they just cant work together, I really thought I was going to find Jonathan Kent boring as hell and was hoping he would be written out somehow but to my surprise the character is a lot of fun, I have always loved Damian so theres no surpises for me digging his character, though I find not all writers get him quite right, this take is perfect. So the trials are set up so they have to work together to proceed, but even when they try to they just can't stayon the same page. Supes and Bats call time on the trial as their last failure almost leads to the getting splatted, they all return to the cave where the Superdads are attacked and supposedly incapcited by what appears to be Clayface? but he is referred to as Mister Squish? Anyway its another set up and FINALLY the two work together, this looks to be leading to a nice warm and fuzzy ending, right up until the final page when they the dads leave the kids to their own devices for a moment and when they turn around the boys are trying to murder each other with an axe and saw respectively, this last page is just so perfect it actually made me belly laugh out loud, the look on Clark and Bruce's faces is pricelss.

The chemistry between the two supersons is hilarious and I forgot to mention, you also get to see Damian Wayne get hit in the face by a fish, I shit you not. Frankly if there is anyone reading this who could buy this and not be entertained then I find you suspicious as a human being.

Buy this if you like fun.

5/5

Elsewhere in comics;

Aquaman #11 this book just continues to be blood excellent, I am really enojoying this run and am totally invested in the story, I really loved seeing the League come see Arthur when he was in hospitla it was a really nice seen, and it made the ending that much more effective. Uncanny X-Men Annual #1 really strong issue, I am interested in seeing Elixir back amongst the living, this was an interesting development, and maybe a way for Prof X to return, as Elixir now seems to be able to raise the dead, they are still keeping Magneto on the right side of anti hero, dont you dare turn him villain again Marvel.

Batman #11 I should like this way more than I do, it may read more coherently if read in once which I will do when this arc finishes. Trinity #3 I really want to like this but its not grabbing me yet.

He-Man/Thundercats #2 big stupid fun with big swords and monsters, whats not to like

Nightwing #9 great issue reminding us again what an important character Nightwing is, and how in many ways he is like a cross between Batman and Superman. Supes is in town and hijinbx ensue.
Suicide Squad #6 Starting to keep my interest, this mini story in the back though is really grinding my gears I want more main story thank you very much!

Justice League #9 This is really moving in the right directions.
Green Lanterns #11 as is Green Lanterns, I'm actually quite enjoying this arc, well done.
Green Arrow #11 I am still really enjoying seeing Ollie and Dinah together and long may it continue!

Right thats yer lot, get lost.

Pick of the Week 09/11/2016 The Flash 10

This was an ok week for comics, there was nothing bad, but for some reason nothing really blew me away either, and there was only one book that really jumped out at me, everything else was just good or ok.

The List;

The Flash #10
Action Comics #967
Red Hood and the Outlaws
Supergirl #3
Uncanny X-Men #15
All Star Batman #4
Detective Comics #944
New Super-Man #5
Hal Jordon and the Green Lantern Corp #8
Deathstroke #6
Womder Woman #10
Superwoman # 4

The Flash has been a conisistently excellent book since the Rebirth Launch (albeit with some jarring art changes) and this issue is no further, firstly the cover is wonderful, this issue introduces the new big bad for the new arc and its a big return for a character we don't really see a lot of...The Shade.

This is not a character I have read an awful lot about, I know hes been both anti-hero and villain, well Rebirth finds him staying camp badguy for the nexy little while. We are introduced to him straight away in a really nicely done prologue, I really enjoyed that bit, he doesnt really raise his head again till the end and we see hes been through quite the redesign, hunched and monstrous looking I really dig it.

A lot of the focus this week is on Wally and his journey to becoming  hero and his clashing with Barry as the Flash being a strict mentor, the interplay between Flash, Wally and Iris is good and believable and its not bugging me like I thought it would, Wallys a believeable teenager rebelling against his elders, but with his heart in the right palce. The other thing I liked about this book is it is one of the only titles that is still talking about the Rebirth mystery, it seems the Shade knows what has happened as well which is interesting, I am honestly happy with the slow burn, before the payoff I just hope its not anticlimatic. Overall this is just a really good book, art, pacing and characterisation are spot on and its left me genuinely interested to see how this is going to play out...kudos.

4/5

Elsewhere in comics;

I'm not sure if I was just in a funk but little else really grabbed me to be honest, I enjoyed Uncanny X-Men #15 the focus is really on Psylocke and Mystique this time round and we leave with the intersting ending of Psylocke curing Mystiques crazyness. New Super-Man #5 Gosh darned it this title is just a lot of fun! I really like all the characters and the tone of the book, this wasnt an amazing issue but it was a fun read neverless. Hal Jordon and the Green Lantern Corp #8 so whi thinks Hals dead?  No-one? Good just checking.

PS
OK DC and Marvel I am not kdding around anymore hurry up and bring back Prof X, Cyke and Black Adam, dont't make me come over there...

Pick of the week 02/11/2016 Superman #10

This week it was down to 2 books Nightwing #8 and Superman #10 it was a reasonably strong week though with good offerings from Green Lanterns, Aquaman and Justice League, I am finally digging JL and GL books!

The List;

• Death of X #3
• Justice League #8
• Green Lanterns #10
• Batman #10
• Green Arrow #10
• Aquaman #10
• Superman #10
• Nightwing #8

Ultimately for the 2nd time since I have been doing this my pick goes to Superman, man I just loving this book at the moment the last 3-4 issues in particular have just been SO much fun, this book based on the cover seems to be the premise of  Super family squaring off against the Bat family, in truth however this is an issue where Damian and Jonathan take the centre stage. Damian takes it upon himself to take Jonathan down as he's too dangerous and doesn't trust him. I love the art here it suits the story perfectly, using Goliath and stealth Damian takes Jonathan down and kidnaps him taking him to the batcave much to Batmans dismay, when he findsout what Damian has done he tells him to take him home before its too late, which it innevitably alreadys, Supes busts in all ready to bust heads, but cooler heads prevail you have some nice moments where the the too discuss the challenges of parenthood, the kids are left to their own devices to chillout but they cant help themselves and before they are going at it again, which leads to the superdads breaking things up and theres a great moment at the end when the two super-sons look up at the toweing sillouettes of their dads and say uh oh. This is leading into a story called bootcamp which I am assuming is going to progress into the Supersons title which I wasnt going to buy but now I think I might.

In the end there's no re-inventing the wheel here, and certainly nothing edgy, but its effective fun story telling, what is great is that Patrick Gleason cleary has an excellent grasp of these characters and their interactions and dialogue all feel really right. I have a real soft spot for the Damian Wayne Robin and I do enjoy it when he is as much of a jerk as he is here. Superman is now becoming one of the titles I really look forward too,which really is as it should be.

Nightwing #8-This book continues to be excellent, this is ultimately the end of the Raptor arc, Raptors true intentions are revealed as he kidnaps Bruce Wayne and in one of the most excellent things I have read this years outs him in a classic Bat villain death trap that will see Bruce die by silver spoon to the heart when share prices reach a certain amount, fantastic! This issue and the series so far has done an excellent job of reminding us what a greay and important character Dick Grayson is! There is also a really touching scene at the end between Bruce and Dick.

 
Death of X #3 - I continue to really enjoy this mini-series and this issue prominantly features Magneto so I was always gonna at least want to like it, I think I can enjoy this more than maybe some people as I havent been reading any X-Comics in the last 24 months so this is all pretty new to me.

Justice League #8 - It's taken its time but this book is finally clicking with me again, it was always going to be tough to follow Johns stellar run on the book but its getting there.

Green Lanterns #10 - We have a new villain whos been very effectively fleshed out and the new GL's for whatever reason arent grting on me any more so kudos! 

Batman #10 - Ok this issue is just weird! I'm not sure if I wasnt paying enough attention but I don't really get what was going on with Bats repeating the same words over and over again,  essentially demanding Bane turn over Pyscho Pirate or he breaks his back, he repeats it even when Banes not there, its very odd. Bats ends up with an almost broken back again in fighting a de-venomed Bane he fixes it rather grusomely and escapes his cell because hes Batman and lets his Bat-Suicide Squad in, one good thing is the whole issue hs a Catwoman monologue runing through it and we find out about the 200+ homicides referenced before.

Pick of the Week 26/10/2016 Flash #9 Kid Flash of Two Worlds

God dammit this is a difficult choice! There were 3 excellent issues this week and a good supporting cast of other titles to boot, hell I even liked Suicide Squad!!

The List;

Flash #9

Action Comics #966

Detective  Comics #943

Hal Jordan and the  Green Lantern Corps

Titans #4

Teen Titans #1

Hellblazer #3

Wonder Woman #9

Suicide Squad #5 

Deathstroke #5

So why Flash 9? It was a tough one with some major competition, Hal Jordan and the GL Corp was REALLY good with an ending I did not see come like at all! Action Comics is just superb at the mo as is Detective Comics, but Flash had a moment that's rare in comics these days where I actually had goosebumps.

Everything about this issue was done well from the amazing cover, a homage to Iconic Flash 2 world, to the interaction of the characters and the huge moment at the end of the book it was really excellent stuff. This issue finds the Flash in the company of both Wally Wests, it starts off with Barry and the new 52 Kid Flash up to some heroics when they are joined by (the real) Wally West. Having the 2 Kid Flash's together does something to the Barry and he has a vision of pre-Flashpoint earth and he is taken over by the Speed force, he says some pretty mean things and drops the bombshell on Kid Flash that the Reverse Flash was his father, after that he runs off and you get some nice moments where the other Wally spends some time bonding with him and helping him deal with the bombshell, this whole passage is dealt with really well, what I also really approved of is that we are reminded about the catalyst for Re-Birth as Barry and Wally discuss the mystery of who stole time form them. Finally and what was the clincher for me was.....

Oh hell yeah the JSA are coming back! I know we knew that already but this is the 1st proper hint since the Rebirth special and I am so bloody ready for this!!

Just overall the writing was excellent here and it really feels like Joshua Williamson gets these characters and the spirit of how a Flash book should be, there was a change on art this issue which usually annoys me but I think Jorge Coronas style works well with the subject matter, excellent stuff.

4/5

Elsewhere in comics;

Action Comics #966:This continues Lois Lane back at the Planet, ultimately this is about our Lois Lane after watching a video message left for her by the now deceased New 52 Lois Lane asking for her to take her place and finish her unfinished book on Superman and be there for he r father. Right sure there are plot holes here none least of which, why is no-one questioning why Pre-New 52 Lois suddenly looks 5 years older? But it doesn't really matter because the writing and characterisation is spot on and ultimately I and many others want to see Lois back in this role, the art is inconsistent but there are moments of brilliance such as when Superman flies to Save Lois from a suspicious and angry Superwoman, this bit just looks fantastic, as  I said before the Superman books at the moment are fantastic.

Detective  Comics #943: This is a Batwoman focused book but I am ok with this because I love the character, the main talking points here are Batman and the team still coming to terms with Tim Drakes apparent death, spoiler thinking about giving it all up, Batman chooses Batwing to replace Tim as the tech guy in the Bat family (Batwoman is not onboard) and the debut of the suitably creepy looking Victim Syndicate. Overall I love the tone of the book, love the character interaction and I am intrigued by these new villains.

Hal Jordan and the  Green Lantern Corps #7: This should drawn by Ethan van Sciver and its a damn shame he isn't. The content here is great its the blow off to this initial arc and the BIG showdown between Hal and Sinestro which features the apparent death of both characters and the the obliteration of War World. The writing is continues to be great here and Jordi Tarragonas art is fine serviceable, its ok but for an ending as epic as this on a Green Lantern book REALLY would have liked to see Van Sciver drawing it, I call foul on the deaths btw Sinestro looks like hes being torn apart BUT he could also be transitioning back to the anti matter universe, and with Hal, well with all the weird moment hes had with becoming pure will power  I am guessing he is still very alive.

Titans #4: This was ok, I am not enjoying this book as much as I want to, but it was still fine, the art in particular was very strong.

Teen Titans #1 Currently the stronger of the two Titans books, this is helped by the fact I love Damian Wayne and think he is a great character.

Hellblazer #3: This has been fine, the book isn't blowing me away so far, there is a fantastic opening involving the audio from a horse race including horses named  Cameron's Stupid Stupid stunt, Boris Johnsons Knob, Farage you don't! This is ok there are several plots being juggled which doesn't hurt the book as much as it could have, the arts ok but I think this book would benefit from a more gritty visceral style.

Wonder Woman #9: I wish this book wouldn't jump about so much, its making it a bit jarring but overall this is a good issue which see's Wonder Woman hooking up with Steve Trevor! I am ok with this, the issue otherwise focuses on the search for Themyscira and we end with Diana seeming finally home and re-united with her mother?

Suicide Squad #5: Better this one focuses on tension within the team and Rick Flag trying to stop Amanda Waller from utilising the insane General Zod as a new member of the Squad, I am glad they addressed the ridiculous size of Zod we witnessed before which annoyed me, we get a shock ending as Flag seems to shoot Waller to stop her.

Deathstroke #5: Solid issue, I am enjoying the run Batman vs Deathstroke is the premise, interestingly though Deathstroke is only really in the last page, I am enjoying this run and the ending in particular has made me really looking forward to issue 6.

Pick of the Week 19/10/2016 Superman #9

This was another week of good comics, the choice for pick of the week ultimately boiled down to the big two books Batman and Superman and picking one over the other was really hard, I think ultimately I was won over by the fun and over the top action of Superman #9 ahead of Batman #9 but it was a close thing.

The pull list;

Superman #9

Batman #9

Aquaman #9

Green  Arrow #9

Green Lanterns #9

Justice League #7

Nightwing #7

Trinity #2

Doom Patrol; #2

DK III: Master Race #6

PoTW

I think whats been so great about the Superman books recently is they have been great fun and captured the true spirit of the character, the last 3 issues in particular have just been utterly fantastic. This is the conclusion of the 2 part Escape from Dinosaur Island (how can you not love a book with that title) this arc is in part a tribute to the sadly departed Darwin Cooke and see's Superman and Superboy hooking up with Captain Storm of the losers, is it an alternative universe? Final Frontier certainly cant be viewed as canon surely? But those questions aside( I am sure there is a good answer) this is a great ride. After initially trying to shoot them Captain Storm exchanges stories with Superman and son as to what hes doing here and how they suddenly appeared, Storm explains about the losers and how he escaped the  Pterodactyl nest and Superman explains how they came ot be transported here and that they need to find the device that brought them here aaannnd...TEAM UP! Captain Storm tells them he thinks he knows where to find the doohicky Clark makes Captain Storm a new prosthetic leg using a branch and his heat vision and they depart, Captain Storm riding a fricking Pterodactyl he tamed which is just bad-ass. We are then treated to an action packed throwdown with Dinosaurs and a gigantic white ape, ok full disclosure on seeing the cover and the ape for the 1st time I was like "is this the Ultra humanite???" sadly its not, but that's ok I can deal, you get to see more of Clark and Jonathan teeming up in battle and there the obligatory noble sacrifice as Captain Storm apparently sacrifices himself to allow them to escape, its actually a  great moment as Superman tells him they will get him home and his response is "I am home"  its interesting that this island that has taken so much from him now seems to be part of him to the point he doesn't want to leave. We are then teased by the mysterious figure we saw before watching on holding Captain Storms new leg, (he shot if off to as Clark wouldn't let go of it and give up on saving him) so the indication is that this figure was responsible for the teleportation as he somehow snagged the leg, who is he? Is this Watchmen related? Time will tell I guess, whats also Great here is the art by Doug Mahnke, I am not always the biggest fan of his work I do find him a bit hit and miss but this is just excellent the Superman team are really firing on all cylinders at the moment.

Elsewhere in comics;

I thought Batman was excellent, this was a non action issue which I am absolutely fine with, the issue opens with a someone recounting a horrific childhood of torture, we see a shadowy figure who I am assuming is Bane (huzzah!) recounting this tale to Psycho Pirate and using his powers as a form of therapy. The bulk of the issue shows Batman putting together a suicide squad of his own to go to Santa Prisca and capture Psycho pirate to help undo the damage he did to Gotham girl. Apparently he's allowed to just draft Arkham inmates as he sees fit...wait what? Oh well he's Batman. Its who is on the squad which is the real treat, the Ventriloquist, Punch and Jewlee, Bronze Tiger and Catwoman, there's some deep cuts right there.  Really good set up issue but since when did Selina Kyle kill over 200 people WTF!?

Justice League I am still not getting into, I'm not sure if its the arc or the team, personally for me they would have been better off having the new creative team taking on a classic villain to start the new run but hey ho. What I want from this book is a shake up in the line up, for one thing I would have one Green Lantern, 2 is just silly (although when the book ends it does seem that is what we may be getting) I would bring in at least 2 more members I would love to see Green Arrow and Shazam in the League, I will keep on with it though.  

Green Arrow I am really enjoying this run but the changes in the art team are killing me! Otto Schmidt who drew issue 8 is fantastic but I just don't like Juan Ferreyra's art at all! It makes the transistion a bit jarring, I was happy to see the continuation of Ollie and Dinah's budding relationship here, this was a good action packed issue and thank god it ended with them leaving the island, I don't think I could have dealt with a prolonged stay.

Aquaman this is again just excellent, I am LOVING this book Dan Abnetts doing great work, his writing of Arthur is just brilliant any another week and this have been PoTW. This issue sees a wild brawl with the Shaggy man in Amnesty Bay,  Aquaman is made to look super heroic in this issue, he gets beat down HARD and keeps going his face is swollen mess afterwards (which you don't see enough of in superhero comics) they are still pushing the outsider thing for Arthur which make sense and works for the character, he eventually outwits Shaggy man, he refuses to ask the JL for help but does use his JL teleportation card to send the creature into space, it ends with a close up of the card discarded in space (is he done with the JL?) and Murk shouting for help for a stricken Arthur.

Trinity, its early days for this book, I do love these 3 characters together but this issue is just ok, we do get a big reveal at the end that its Poison Ivy who's behind the supposed jump backwards in time, the team are in fact in the grips of some kind of giant plant, I am ok with this I guess but I was hoping for Mongul and the black mercy, I am still holding out for this,  pretty please DC comics! I think my hope is we will find out that rather than this just being Poison Ivy its going to be a team of  classic villains a batman one a superman one and a wonder woman one, that would  make me very happy.

Doom Patrol I should have picked this up last week so the end result is that's its been so long since I read issue one that I dont know what the fuck is going on, its good but mad and I do wonder if this will be one of those books better suited to being collected in trade.

Green Lanterns This is book is continuing to improve, we don't really see the lanterns at all in this book, it seems more about setting up a new villain who it looks like is going to steal the Phantom ring. Its ok, I just really don't look forward to this book, I don't dread it either, but its just been very "meh" for me, and that should never be the case with a Green Lantern book, hell it was Johns run that seduced me back into comics again, I used to look forward to every issue, sticking with it fir a bit longer.

Nightwing I am digging this book I and I really like Dick Grayson, I am not sold on the Raptor character this continues to tease is he a villain or anti hero etc and what is his connection to Dicks family, good stuff.

DK III; The Master Race great book they have used some really good tools to tell this story, and lets be honest its a dream creative team, the only problem is there's soooo long in between issues that I find myself disconnecting with the story, I will have to go back and re-read issues 1-6 before 7 comes out I think, but for the record this is an excellent book.

Death of X I really enjoyed this book, there's been some good story telling which sees the Inhumans and Mutants drawing closer and closer to confrontation this issues that end is furthered by miscommunication between Storms team of Mutants and Crystals team of Inhumans. The truly great thing about this issues is I can finally read a x book with a sense of enthusiasm and not dread thanks to the pant wetting excitement of the announcement of 2 New  XBooks X-Men Blue and Gold as well as solo titles for Iceman and Cable. FAN-BASTARD-TASTIC I have to admit I had brought into the conspiracy theories that said Marvel was going to get rid of the X-Men. To really make this work for me Marvel has to do 3 things;

• Bring back Professor X
• Do NOT turn Magneto back in to a villain
• For the love of GOD bring back Cyclops and heal his relationship with Hank and Bobby and the rest

If they do that then shut up and take my money!